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G2 Hi-fi guide

Hi-fi turntables: where the upgrade money goes

Once you have a real amplifier and speakers, the tonearm, cartridge and platter start to matter. Here's what to look for, and the belt-drive decks worth searching for on eBay.

Updated September 24, 2026·Contains eBay affiliate links

We may earn a commission if you buy through the eBay links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Specs come from the manufacturers' own pages, linked under each model.

What actually matters on a hi-fi deck

A hi-fi turntable's job is simple: spin the record at an exact, steady speed and let the stylus read the groove without adding anything of its own. The parts that do that job are where the money goes.

The tonearm

The arm carries the cartridge across the record. A good one is rigid and lets you set tracking force (with a counterweight) and anti-skate. On a used deck, look closely at the arm: a bent arm tube or a sticky cueing lever is expensive to fix.

The cartridge

The cartridge and stylus turn groove wiggles into an electrical signal, and they shape the sound more than almost anything else. Many hi-fi decks come with a cartridge fitted, so check the listing says which one, and that it's included.

The phono stage

Many hi-fi decks leave out a built-in preamp and expect your amplifier's phono input to do the job. If your amp doesn't have one, you'll need a deck with a built-in stage or a separate phono preamp. Here's how to tell.

Drive and isolation

Most hi-fi decks are belt-driven: the belt keeps motor vibration away from the platter. Electronic speed change, where a button switches between 33⅓ and 45 without moving the belt by hand, is a nice convenience. Belt vs. direct drive, explained.

Decks worth searching for on eBay

These are established belt-drive decks with replaceable parts. The buttons open live eBay searches, so the prices you see are real and current.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO

Belt driveOne-piece carbon tonearmOrtofon 2M Red pre-fittedElectronic speed controlNo built-in preamp

A popular first "serious" deck. Pro-Ject's spec sheet lists a one-piece carbon tonearm and a pre-fitted Ortofon 2M Red. There's no phono stage, so plan on your amp's phono input or a separate preamp.

Source: Pro-Ject spec sheet (PDF)

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Rega Planar 1 / Planar 1 Plus

Belt drivePlanar 1: no preampPlanar 1 Plus: built-in MM phono stage

Rega's entry deck. In Rega's words, the Plus is "the Planar 1 with the addition of a built-in high quality MM phono stage," which helps if your amp lacks a phono input. Listings don't always say which version it is, so ask.

Source: Rega

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Rega Planar 3

Belt driveRB330 tonearm (current model)

A long-running hi-fi staple. The current model uses Rega's RB330 tonearm. Older Planar 3 generations used different arms, so check which one you're looking at.

Source: Rega

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Red flags in hi-fi listings

  • "Cartridge not included." On a hi-fi deck the cartridge can be a real share of the value. Price in a replacement.
  • No side-on photo of the tonearm. Ask for one. Bends, missing counterweights and damaged headshells show up best from the side.
  • Loose parts packed together. Platter, counterweight and dust cover should be packed separately. Here's what good packing looks like.
  • Unclear model version. "Rega Planar" covers decades of models. Ask for the exact model name and a photo of the label or plate.

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Next steps

Before you buy, run the listing through the seller question builder. Curious about older gear? The vintage guide covers classic Thorens, Dual and Technics decks.

FAQ Questions

Hi-fi questions

What's the difference between moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges?

Output level, mostly. Moving-magnet (MM) cartridges put out a few millivolts: Ortofon lists the 2M Red at 5.5 mV and Audio-Technica lists the AT-VM95E at 4.0 mV. Low-output moving-coil (MC) cartridges produce far less. Denon lists the DL-103 at 0.3 mV, so they need a phono stage built for MC.

My amp has a phono input. Do I still need a preamp?

No. A phono input is a preamp. Most hi-fi decks, including the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO and the Rega Planar 1, expect you to use one. If your amp doesn't have one, look for a deck with a built-in stage, like the Rega Planar 1 Plus, or add an external phono preamp.

Is a used hi-fi turntable a good idea?

Often, yes. These decks are built to last and have replaceable belts, styli and cartridges. Ask for photos of the tonearm and stylus, confirm the cartridge is included, and ask how it will be packed.